Spoiler Alert: This article discusses spoiled plot points from The White Lotus season 3, episode 6, "Denials."
Ever wake up after a wild night out, battling that knot of anxiety in your stomach? Well, that’s just a hint of what Saxon Ratliff (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger) is feeling in this week’s episode of The White Lotus.
If you were shocked by his kiss with his younger brother Lochlan (Sam Nivola), brace yourself. That was just the tip of the iceberg. In "Denials," Saxon and Lochlan wake up on Greg’s yacht with Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), struggling to recall the previous night’s outrageous escapades. Thanks to Chloe and Chelsea’s candidness, it becomes painfully clear that Saxon’s and Lochlan’s night wasn’t just wild; it crossed boundaries none of them expected. Lochlan had sex with Chloe and dragged a very drunk Saxon into a troubling three-some, unveiling a night of huge regrets for Saxon by dawn.
Schwarzenegger shared his surprise about the storyline in an interview. While he was thrilled to land the role, he had no idea how the plot would unfold. "When I started reading the scripts for episodes five and six, I thought, ‘Wow, this is intense,’" he says.
Creator Mike White isn’t shying away from difficult topics this season. Incest is a big taboo, and it’s clearly a bold choice for a show like The White Lotus. But Schwarzenegger wasn’t anxious about portraying such controversial content. He trusts White’s creative vision. "Mike said it would spark conversations, and I believe him," he said.
Jason Isaacs, who portrays Saxon’s father, praised Schwarzenegger’s performance as Saxon grapples with his emotions and his past actions. "You see the transformation in Saxon—it’s absolutely brilliant," Isaacs noted.
The rawness of Saxon’s recollections adds depth to the story. He questions his past behavior as memories resurface, leading to shifts in power dynamics among the characters. "It’s incredible how Mike writes this dynamic change,” shared Schwarzenegger.
By episode’s end, viewers are left to piece together what happened without everything being laid out clearly. "Mike White intentionally leaves a lot to interpretation," Schwarzenegger explained. This adds to the narrative’s intrigue, inviting audience speculation.
As for the sensitive scenes, Schwarzenegger emphasized the care taken during filming, highlighting the supportive environment created by the production team, including the presence of an intimacy coordinator.
In today’s TV landscape, scenes dealing with challenging subjects like this are becoming more common. According to recent studies, 65% of viewers appreciate when shows tackle difficult topics despite the potential for discomfort. It not only sparks discussion but encourages reflection on real-life issues.
The White Lotus continues to air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, and each episode dives deeper into the complexities of human nature.
Stay tuned; you’ll want to see where Saxon’s journey goes from here.